Religiosity and spirituality in coping with suicide grief: A review

Abstract

Background:

Although religiosity and spirituality are recognized as important protective factors against suicide, little research has explored their role in the grief process following suicide loss.

Aims:

To investigate the existing evidence about the impact of religiosity and spirituality on suicide grief.

Method:

A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases for original empirical studies examining the association between religiosity and spirituality and the grief experience of suicide loss survivors.

Results:

Eleven studies were identified, the majority (n = 7) conducted in the United States of America and published between 2000 and 2023. The methodological approaches included qualitative (n = 9), quantitative (n = 1), and longitudinal (n = 1) studies. Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 1,432 participants, primarily composed of women, Christians, and adults. The findings highlight the complex relationship between religiosity and spirituality and suicide grief. In general, religiosity and spirituality functioned as a source of support, a sanctuary, and a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth, facilitating meaning-making and the restructuring of the loss through belief systems, spiritual experiences, and coping strategies. However, in some cases, religiosity and spirituality also posed challenges, complicating the adaptation to suicide grief.

Limitations:

Limited research on the topic, with a predominance of qualitative studies and samples largely composed of Christian, Western, and female participants. None of the selected articles focused specifically on religiosity and spirituality as a central research variable, underscoring the need for more in-depth investigations.

Conclusion:

Despite the identified challenges, religiosity and spirituality were generally considered significant coping factors in suicide grief. The limited available evidence suggests that religiosity and spirituality may play a crucial role in the grieving process following suicide loss and warrants further investigation.